MUSIC
– Michael Jackson releases his first breakthrough album ‘Off The Wall.’ It sells over 7 million copies in the United States alone.
– The Music for UNICEF Concert is held in New York City at the United Nations.
– The Bee Gees collect 4 Grammy awards for their album ‘Saturday Night Fever.’
– U2 records their very first locally released single.
TV
– Nickelodeon is launched in the U.S.
– THE DUKES OF HAZZARD premieres on CBS.
– Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo debut in their own animated series.
– The made-for-TV movie ELVIS premieres, with 43 millions viewers watching.
MOVIES
– It’s a big year for the science-fiction genre! STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE, the very first movie adaptation of the popular sci-fi show’s franchise, hits theatres.
– Jim Henson’s Muppets also make their first leap to the big screen with THE MUPPET MOVIE.
– Kate Hudson (HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS) and Heath Ledger (THE DARK KNIGHT) are born.
OTHER IMPORTANT EVENTS
– Skylab, NASA’s first orbiting space station, begins its return to Earth after being in orbit for 6 years and 2 months.
– McDonald’s introduces the first Happy Meal in June.
– LEGOS become a hit with their Legoland Space, Legoland Town and Legoland Castle sets.
– Smallpox is eradicated, making it the first human infectious disease to be destroyed.